The 2021 Ford Explorer’s interior boasts impressive safety and infotainment tech—but its cheap materials don’t live up to its $34,170 starting price.

When it comes to mid-sized SUVs like the 2021 Explorer, a flashy interior isn’t generally a top priority. As a family vehicle, though, this SUV is equipped with solid standard safety tech (and a five-star

NHTSA safety rating

!) and a backseat entertainment system to keep the kids entertained. So while the plastic interior doesn’t scream luxury, the Explorer’s interior delivers where it’s important.

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about the Explorer’s interior. Let’s get started.

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Ford Explorer insurance costs

2021 Ford Explorer interior

At a starting price of $34,170, exactly how much are you getting inside your 2021 Ford Explorer? Let’s take a look through the key interior features to find out!

Seating

With a power-adjustable driver’s seat, 35/30/35 folding second-row bench seat, and 50/50-split folding third-row seats, the 2021 Ford Explorer seats up to seven passengers. Moving up to higher

trim levels

, you gain access to:

Heated and ventilated front seats

Power-folding and heated second-row seats

Sport front seats

Power-folding third-row seats

Massaging front seats

Interior dimensions
Total passenger volume	152.7 cubic feet
Front headroom	40.7 inches
Front leg room	43 inches
Front shoulder room	61.8 inches
Front hip room	59.2 inches
Second-row headroom	40.5 inches
Second-row legroom	39 inches
Second-row shoulder room	61.9 inches
Second-row hip room	59.1 inches
Third-row headroom	38.9 inches
Third-row legroom	32.2 inches
Third-row shoulder room	54.6 inches
Third-row hip room	40.9 inches

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Tech

The 2021 Explorer’s tech comes with some great safety aids, but it isn’t without its problem spots.

Each Explorer comes standard with:

An 8-inch touchscreen

Apple CarPlay

and Android Auto

A Wifi hot-spot

Sync 3 infotainment system

Automated emergency braking

Cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring

Lane keeping assistance

Automatic high beams

Rear-seat entertainment system

In the higher trims you gain access to features like built-in navigation and adaptive cruise control. Steer clear of the optional 10.1-inch vertical touchscreen as it doesn’t work well with the rearview camera display, Android Auto, or Apple CarPlay.

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Storage

With 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, 49.8 cubes behind the second row, and 20.8 cubes behind the third row, the 2021 Explorer storage is generous. Things may feel tight with all three rows of seating up, you can still fit three or four large suitcases in the trunk.

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Ford Explorer trunk space

Style

Now that we’ve gone over the 2021 Ford Explorer’s seating, tech, and storage, what’s the overall interior vibe?

Unfortunately, not great. The plastic interior materials and so-so design don’t live up to the Explorer’s price tag. Where it makes up for its lackluster interior style is its off-road capabilities.

The bottom line

If a well-appointed interior is a top priority, the 2021 Explorer may not be the choice for you. Luckily, it has many other great features—including top-tier safety features, a comfortable interior, and reasonable

car insurance

costs—that keep it in the running with its competition.

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